title: [The face - the mirror of life (author's transl)].
abstract: Form and function of the physiognomy can be an expression of life. A change of form is still no disease but if it should cause psychic disturbances, it is justifiable to speak of "pathology of form". Here it is appropriate, instead of plastic operation, to speak of organopsychic therapy, possibility of prevention being included. There are people who consider changes of shape in the face as natural and normal, others find them pathological. Furthermore, there are people who would like to "improve" still more the normal elegant shape of their own faces; possible psychological motives must be taken into consideration here. The plastic surgeon must analyse the form from the same point of view as that of the patient, is the reasons which led him to the surgeon. Under certain circumstances a corrective operation can do more harm than good. For this reason a thorough diagnosis and indication is indispensable.
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D005149:Facial Expression; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D012225:Rhinoplasty; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000379:methods*
vernacular_title: Gesicht - Spiegel des lebens.